Welcome to day 15 of Blogmas! As we count down the days to Christmas, I’m excited to share a little holiday cheer with you. Each day until December 25th, I’ll be posting festive content to help get you into the spirit of the season. From the way we see the holidays in pop culture to the way Christmas is celebrated around the world, I hope these posts bring a little extra joy and warmth to your holiday preparations. So grab the eggiest of nogs, wrap up in your slanket, and let’s celebrate the most wonderful time of the year together!

Ah, Christmas movies and specials. They’re supposed to fill us with warm fuzzies and holiday cheer, but sometimes they end up stirring heated debates that could melt Frosty faster than a greenhouse in July. Today, we’re taking a sleigh ride through some of the most controversial Christmas flicks and TV specials that have us all asking: naughty or nice?

First up, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – or should I say, the creepy cue-card guy in the room? Love Actually has been a staple of holiday rom-com marathons since its release in 2003, but not everyone’s feeling the love. Some argue that the film’s portrayal of relationships is problematic, with storylines that border on stalking and a lack of female agency. Others defend it as a charming, intertwined tale of love in all its messy, complicated glory. Personally, I’m still trying to figure out why Andrew Lincoln thought it was a good idea to profess his love for his best friend’s wife via a series of oversized cue cards. Maybe he should’ve just sent a text?

Moving on to a galaxy far, far away, we have the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. Released in 1978, this bizarre TV event featured Chewbacca’s family, a virtual reality machine, and a musical number by Jefferson Starship. It’s so bad that George Lucas has reportedly said he’d like to smash every copy with a sledgehammer. But is it so bad it’s good? Some fans argue that the special’s campy, ’70s charm makes it a must-watch for any true Star Wars devotee. Others maintain that it’s a cringe-worthy abomination that should be launched into the depths of space, never to be seen again. Either way, it’s proof that even Jedi Knights aren’t immune to the Dark Side of variety show television.

But the controversy doesn’t stop there. Take Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, for example. This stop-motion classic has been accused of promoting bullying and discrimination, with poor Rudolph being ostracized by his peers until his unique nose becomes useful to Santa. Then there’s A Christmas Story, which some argue glorifies gun violence and toxic masculinity. And don’t even get me started on Elf – is it a delightful fish-out-of-water tale, or a creepy story about a grown man who doesn’t understand boundaries?

At the end of the day, maybe the true spirit of Christmas lies in the debates themselves. After all, what brings people together more than passionately arguing about whether Die Hard counts as a Christmas movie? (For the record, it totally does.) These controversial films and specials may not be perfect, but they get us talking, laughing, and maybe even appreciating the more universally beloved holiday fare.

So, dear readers, I turn it over to you. What’s your take on these controversial Christmas classics? Do you defend them as misunderstood gems, or do you think they deserve a lump of coal in their stocking? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the holiday debate alive. Just remember, if you find yourself in a heated argument with your cousin over the merits of Love Actually, try to keep the eggnog-fueled fisticuffs to a minimum. ‘Tis the season, after all.